Getting a SSN for Marriage Certificate - Conflicting Advice

[ADAngel 40]

Hi guys,

 

I have some complicated questions for y'all today that I'm hoping to get some clarification on. My fiance and I are hoping to get married ASAP once he enters the country (within a few days if possible). Which doesn't seem to be a problem for most people... that don't live in certain counties in Michigan. 

In my county (St. Clair) it's highlighted several times: "Applicant(s) will be required to present the birth certificates of both applicants and supply the social security numbers of both applicants."

-Has anyone else dealt with a county this strict?

-How did you handle it before you received your SSN or did you just wait?

-Has anyone else in Michigan had this problem when trying to get a marriage certificate?

 

As far as receiving the SSN, I've seen a LOT of conflicting advice and I've searched through the website but haven't found a definitive answer.

-With I-94's being electronic and almost instant, how early can you go and apply for the an SSN?

-How long after applying for the SSN will you know what your SSN is?

 

We already have to deal with a "3-day waiting period" after applying for the license, I really don't want to delay it any more than we have to. 

Even if you can't answer all of my questions I'd appreciate any input. 

 

Thanks

[Nayakato 1]

I also live in michighan, I got married to my USC husband in Ottawa county in 2016. We went to the county office and gave them my birth certificate from my country and prove of current address with my foreign passport that shows my legal entry into the USA. I don't think they will require you to give SSN of your foreign spouse. Go to your county office and make proper inquiry.

[Crazy Cat 44,556]

22 minutes ago, ADAngel said:

Hi guys,

 

I have some complicated questions for y'all today that I'm hoping to get some clarification on. My fiance and I are hoping to get married ASAP once he enters the country (within a few days if possible). Which doesn't seem to be a problem for most people... that don't live in certain counties in Michigan. 

In my county (St. Clair) it's highlighted several times: "Applicant(s) will be required to present the birth certificates of both applicants and supply the social security numbers of both applicants."

-Has anyone else dealt with a county this strict?

-How did you handle it before you received your SSN or did you just wait?

-Has anyone else in Michigan had this problem when trying to get a marriage certificate?

 

As far as receiving the SSN, I've seen a LOT of conflicting advice and I've searched through the website but haven't found a definitive answer.

-With I-94's being electronic and almost instant, how early can you go and apply for the an SSN?

-How long after applying for the SSN will you know what your SSN is?

 

We already have to deal with a "3-day waiting period" after applying for the license, I really don't want to delay it any more than we have to. 

Even if you can't answer all of my questions I'd appreciate any input. 

 

Thanks

1. I believe that SSN requirement applies only to US citizens

2.  Non-citizens can show a valid passsport

3.  The county clerk can waive the 3 day waiting period for good reasons.

[ADAngel 40]

1 minute ago, missileman said:

1. I believe that SSN requirement applies only to US citizens

2.  Non-citizens can show a valid passsport

3.  The county clerk can waive the 3 day waiting period for good reasons.

Do you know generally how early you should be able to go to the SS office? I've seen some people say they got approved going the day after and some saying they waited 10 days and it still wasn't ready.  I realize it might be a case by case basis it's just really frustrating. 

[geowrian 22,339]

An SSN isn't actually required unless you are required to have one. A K-1 visa holder can obtain one, but is not required to do so. What would happen if somebody tried to get a marriage license after 76 days (<14 days left of legal status)?

 

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(zjryicu1te2v1w014qvksbko))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-551-102

 

"(3) A requirement under this section to include a social security number on an application does not apply to an applicant who demonstrates he or she is exempt under law from obtaining a social security number or to an applicant who for religious convictions is exempt under law from disclosure of his or her social security number under these circumstances. The county clerk shall inform the applicant of this possible exemption."

Just now, ADAngel said:

Do you know generally how early you should be able to go to the SS office? I've seen some people say they got approved going the day after and some saying they waited 10 days and it still wasn't ready.  I realize it might be a case by case basis it's just really frustrating. 

A few days after entry is more than fine nowadays.

[ADAngel 40]

Just now, geowrian said:

An SSN isn't actually required unless you are required to have one. A K-1 visa holder can obtain one, but is not required to do so. What would happen if somebody tried to get a marriage license after 76 days (<14 days left of legal status)?

 

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(zjryicu1te2v1w014qvksbko))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-551-102

 

"(3) A requirement under this section to include a social security number on an application does not apply to an applicant who demonstrates he or she is exempt under law from obtaining a social security number or to an applicant who for religious convictions is exempt under law from disclosure of his or her social security number under these circumstances. The county clerk shall inform the applicant of this possible exemption."

This is where I've been seeing conflicting reports because people have been saying that because k1 visa holders can get a visa, they have to supply it (at least in Michigan). I was actually reading that exact page earlier and that's how I interpreted it as well but then I saw this thread... 

and some people were saying that stricter counties still require it... 

 

I'm so confused by everything right now  

[TNJ17 1,329]

Just get married in a different county if they’re giving you a hard time. You don’t have to get married in the county you reside. Or even the state. 

[Wuozopo 4,294]

2 hours ago, ADAngel said:

-Has anyone else dealt with a county this strict?

-How did you handle it before you received your SSN or did you just wait?

My county website said the same thing. Pick up the phone and call them. I explained foreign person and getting a license the first day in the country.  They said If you have a SSN, then you must give it. But a foreign person can use their passport. Ask a live person at the place where you will get the license. You probably don't need a SSN. 

 

You don't have to wait 2 weeks to go apply for you SSN. The record of your entry should populate the database pretty much immediately. It is done by passport scan now, not manually entered from a card like a decade+ ago when Visa Journey wrote their guides. Your social Security card will come in the mail in a week if all goes well. Some offices will tell  you your number if you go back the next day. Mine wouldn't. 

[ADAngel 40]

9 hours ago, Wuozopo said:

My county website said the same thing. Pick up the phone and call them. I explained foreign person and getting a license the first day in the country.  They said If you have a SSN, then you must give it. But a foreign person can use their passport. Ask a live person at the place where you will get the license. You probably don't need a SSN. 

 

You don't have to wait 2 weeks to go apply for you SSN. The record of your entry should populate the database pretty much immediately. It is done by passport scan now, not manually entered from a card like a decade+ ago when Visa Journey wrote their guides. Your social Security card will come in the mail in a week if all goes well. Some offices will tell  you your number if you go back the next day. Mine wouldn't. 

Ah, the dreaded phone call! Was hoping it wouldn't resort to that but I know it's the best way to get information... even in the age of the internet. Thank you so much for your help!

 

11 hours ago, geowrian said:

An SSN isn't actually required unless you are required to have one. A K-1 visa holder can obtain one, but is not required to do so. What would happen if somebody tried to get a marriage license after 76 days (<14 days left of legal status)?

I hope my comment last night didn't come off as dismissive to your post. I really appreciate your input and advice, thank you!

[ADAngel 40]

11 hours ago, TNJ17 said:

Just get married in a different county if they’re giving you a hard time. You don’t have to get married in the county you reside. Or even the state. 

Well because I'm a resident of Michigan I have to get married in my county, but I have thought about going to Ohio and getting married in Toledo. I've heard they don't have nearly as many restrictions and there's no waiting period- it's just more expensive! (of course, haha.) 

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens but out-of-state is definitely a possibility. 

[TNJ17 1,329]

1 hour ago, ADAngel said:

Well because I'm a resident of Michigan I have to get married in my county, but I have thought about going to Ohio and getting married in Toledo. I've heard they don't have nearly as many restrictions and there's no waiting period- it's just more expensive! (of course, haha.) 

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens but out-of-state is definitely a possibility. 

Hmmm no you don’t. You can get married anywhere. 

[ADAngel 40]

10 minutes ago, TNJ17 said:

Hmmm no you don’t. You can get married anywhere. 

I can get married anywhere but to get married in Michigan I have to apply for the certificate in my county:

 

"Marriage Residency Requirement Michigan:For the purpose of marriage application, residency is determined by a current validdriver’s license or state I.D.:

• If you are a Michigan resident, you must apply in the county where you live.  If both parties are Michigan residents, you may apply in either county.  The license is valid throughout the state.

   

• If both parties are out-of-state residents, you must apply in the county where you are going to be married. The license is valid in that county only."

[doggieandsam 765]

13 hours ago, ADAngel said:

Do you know generally how early you should be able to go to the SS office? I've seen some people say they got approved going the day after and some saying they waited 10 days and it still wasn't ready.  I realize it might be a case by case basis it's just really frustrating. 

you really just need your i-94 record to be able to apply for an SSN, so as soon as you are able to obtain your record on the i-94 website, you are good to go. i went to the SSA the very next day after i arrived (K1) and was successfully able to apply for my SSN.

 

my SSN card got delivered to me after a few days (< a week) from the application date. the delivery of the SSN will vary depending on where you live (SSA usually says the card is delivered within 2 weeks), mine got to me quicker because i live near Baltimore where the SS main office is (i think that's where they issue all the SSN cards, but this is just my guess). anyway, barring any complications, the SSN should be with you within 2 weeks at the most.

 

Edited March 6, 2018 by doggieandsam

[TNJ17 1,329]

If getting an ssn card is too much of a hassle, just go across state line to the nearest courthouse. 

[ADAngel 40]

51 minutes ago, doggieandsam said:

 i went to the SSA the very next day after i arrived (K1) and was successfully able to apply for my SSN.

 

my SSN card got delivered to me after a few days (< a week) from the application date. the delivery of the SSN will vary depending on where you live (SSA usually says the card is delivered within 2 weeks)

Thank you so much for adding your personal experience, that's really what I was hoping for. It makes me feel a lot better that you got it the day after! 

 

5 minutes ago, TNJ17 said:

If getting an ssn card is too much of a hassle, just go across state line to the nearest courthouse. 

I never said that it was a hassle? I was just asking for some advice as I've seen conflicting answers as to how long the process takes so I'm not sure why a snarky comment is necessary.